Asher was pissed. He was supposed to be the boss, but his guys acted like he


    was invisible.


    First, Herman decked him. Then Rowan didn''t even bother to pretend he cared


    about Asher''s authority.


    Seriously, what a joke.


    He wanted to be angry, but with Herman standing right there in the yard, Asher


    couldn''t help but feel a little nervous.


    Truth was, Asher only mouthed off when Herman was out of sight. Face-to-face?


    He just didn''t have the guts.


    Herman stood in the middle of the driveway, arms folded, making it crystal clear: if


    Rowan wasn''t leaving, neither was he.


    Rowan, cradling his chest, limped down the porch steps. When he hit thest one,


    his wounds red and he nearly copsed.


    Herman was there in a sh, steadying him before he fell.


    Rowan looked up, followed Herman''s hand to his face, and their eyes met.


    Herman''s expression was stone cold, his tone sharp. "Get in the car."


    Off to the side, Riley was propping up Asher. He caught sight of Herman holding


    Rowan and leaned in to whisper, "Asher, am I crazy, or is there something going


    on between those two? Maybe we got Rowan all wrong. Maybe he''s not into


    Herman''s wife-maybe he''s into Herman. Look at how they''re staring at each


    other. That''s some real sparks, man."


    Riley looked absolutely starstruck, a total fanboy.


    Everyone else just stared in stunned silence.


    Asher''s face went through a whole slideshow of emotions. He nced at Riley,


    then back at Herman and Rowan.


    And honestly? Now that Riley had pointed it out, it didn''t seem so far-fetched.


    Herman heard Riley''sment and immediately let go of Rowan''s arm, shooting


    Riley a look that could freezeva. "You got a death wish or something?"


    The threat was clear as day.


    "Asher, save me!" Riley yelped, ducking behind Asher as fast as he could.


    Asher shot him a look, annoyed. "What are you so scared of? I''m here, aren''t I?


    Even a wild dog knows who the boss is."


    He sounded tough, but he wasn''t about to take a single step closer to Herman.


    Herman ignored the two of them and turned back to Rowan. "You walking to the


    car, or should I have someone carry you?"


    Rowan was in rough shape. If Asher didn''t let him go, he probably wouldn''t make


    it out of this ce.


    Herman caught the hopelessness in Rowan''s eyes. Rowan had done everything


    for Asher, and this was how he got repaid-beaten and humiliated. Anyone would


    be crushed.


    Rowan gave Asher a long,plicated look, then turned and slowly made his


    way toward Herman''s SUV.


    In the car, Anastasia flung open the


    door, ready to help, but just then


    Hanna hurried over. "Rowan, Asher''s


    your brother! How could he do this


    to you? Just look at you!"


    Her eyes were red-rimmed with anger and worry.


    Seeing Hanna, Anastasia stepped back to give her some space.


    When she saw Rowan''s injuries up close, Anastasia''s heart twisted. There wasn''t


    a single spot on him that wasn''t bruised or bleeding.


    Rowan looked past Hanna, caught Anastasia''s eyes for a second, then looked


    away. He climbed in after Hanna, mumbling, "I''m fine."


    He wasn''t saying it for Hanna-he meant it for Anastasia, hoping she wouldn''t


    worry.


    But Hanna didn''t get it. She huffed, "Fine? You''re still recovering from yourst


    injuries, and now you''ve got new ones. Is Asher trying to kill you?"


    Rowan hurt everywhere. As soon as he sat down, pain shot through his whole


    body, and he had to sit carefully so his back wouldn''t touch the seat.


    Hanna''sshes shimmered with tears, like she could feel every bit of his pain.


    She closed the door and turned to Anastasia. "I''ll get him home. Thank you."


    Anastasia just nodded, silent the


    whole time. She waited until they''d


    driven off, then finally stepped out,


    ncing at Herman who was still


    standing guard. "Ready to go?"


    Herman had been blocking the door, his presence the only reason Asher didn''t


    kick up a scene and drag Rowan back.


    Now that Rowan was gone, Herman didn''t need to stick around.


    "Yeah," Herman replied, his voice softening.


    But Asher wasn''t letting things go.


    His face darkened, and his voice


    was rough as gravel. "You really


    think you cane and go from my


    ce whenever you want, Herman?


    Maybe it''s time you and I finally


    settle this."